A Search and Rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island rescued an injured hiker at Deception Pass State Park on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The SAR crew took off from the airbase around 5 p.m. Due to the injured hiker’s location and surrounding terrain, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue was unable to reach the man.

Upon arrival, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class John Siedler, a search and rescue medical technician (SMT), was hoisted down to the scene and prepared the injured man for immediate extraction. The patient was transported to Island Hospital.

This was the 35th rescue of 2017 for NAS Whidbey Island SAR, which has also conducted seven searches and 15 medical evacuation missions this year.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from the airbase as search and rescue/medical evacuation platforms for the EA-18G aircraft, as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.